‘Pooch Playoff’ Fundraiser Seeks Newark’s Cutest Dogs For Photos

NEWARK, NJ — North Jersey portrait photographer, Jonelle Maria, the owner of Photography by J Maria, has always had a soft spot for pets. So when the opportunity to help Brick City Rescue and Heart and Soul Dog Rescue presented itself, she jumped on it.

Maria and the two rescue groups will be holding a “Pooch Playoffs” competition and fundraiser, and they’re seeking the Newark area’s most adorable dogs to take part in the contest.

According to a news release from organizers:

“Jonelle will photograph up to 16 pooches for a $99 donation to Brick City Rescue and Heart and Soul Dog Rescue. Participants will receive a photo gift of their pup and a goodie bag of treats … The bracket-style competition will be unleashed mid-March, with up to 20 pooches competing for exciting prizes from local and online pet-friendly businesses. Each week, two dogs will face off in an online vote. Each week’s winner advances with the goal to be voted the Ulti-Mutt Cutie of North Jersey! North Jersey’s winner will move on to a national competition.”

Limited spots are available. Contact Jonelle at 201-834-4016 or visit www.photgraphybyjmaria/poochplayoffs to register.

“The past couple of years have been especially hard for dog rescues,” Maria said. “So I decided that I wanted to host a competition to find North Jersey’s Ulti-Mutt Cutie as a way to help out Brick City Rescue and Heart and Soul Dog Rescue.”

“It’s funny, pets are such important members of our families, yet most of us don’t think to have a professional photo taken of them,” Maria added.

• See Related: Animal Shelters Are Hitting Their Breaking Point Across North Jersey
• See Related: More NJ Dog Owners Are Choosing Shelters Over Purebreds, Study Says

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.